OCTOPATH TRAVELER and OCTOPATH TRAVELER II are coming to GOG in the Preservation Program
(www.gamingonlinux.com)
I get trying to make an old school, grindy RPG, but it just fell flat.
Grimstone from UFO 50 is the game I point to for how to do a retro RPG well. Hell, all of UFO 50 is fantastic, I home there's a sequel.